June 29, 2015

Welcome to the Spellbinders Summer Road Trip Partner Hop! We are so excited you're here. We are going to jump right into the fun because Annette Green and Gloria Stengel have 2 excellent projects for this amazing hop. There's also a fabulous giveaway! Enjoy hopping along.

"This Summer my husband and I will be traveling with friends to South Carolina and I thought it would be fun to create them a mini album and Mixed Media Box to store it in as a little “Thank You” gift for joining us. I used Home Sweet Home in particular because I also plan to collect recipes and make note of places we eat, as well as places we visit. The Spellbinders dies were fun to layer and play around with, and with my new Sapphire machine it sure made easy work of embellishing my project. Hope you enjoy!" ~Annette

"Good morning, Graphic 45 Fans! I have the amazing honor to be one of the featured Graphic 45 Designers in the Spellbinders' Partner Blog Hop!

I was given the Spellbinders Sapphire Numbers and Letters One die templates set and the Fancy Corner set to work with, plus I am using the Graphic 45 Raining Cats and Dogs Collection for my project.

I decided to create a little mini album from two paper bags...and to make it a brag book about my cats! This album is approximately 3 1/2" x 7" and is adorable in a black, red, and teal color scheme!

Here is a another view, with the cover "untucked." I just adore how this turned out. It is perfect for adding a few photos and some journaling. This is the sort of project that you can customize by changing the theme and using alternate papers or color schemes. I love the Spellbinders Sapphire letters that I used to spell out my album title. (The capital "M" is approximately 1/2" tall.)

The gorgeous Graphic 45 papers, paired with black accents and the black die cut shapes make for a stunning project!

I bet you want to know how I made this little mini, right? Well, here goes!

You need two black treat bags, approximately 3 1/2" x 6 3/4" each. You can purchase these treat bags at your local chain craft store in the gift wrap section.

Lay Bag #1 so that the bottom fold is to the left. Place Bag #2 so that the bottom fold is on the right. Score Bag #2 at 1 1/2" and 2" from the bag opening. Score lightly, as you will GENTLY fold the bag to make the right-hand "spine."

Place some double-stick tape on the back of the opening of Bag #2. Slide Bag #2 into the opening of Bag #1, up to the first score line. Use a circle die or punch to create a cut out tab into Bag #1 as shown.) I actually went back with a Spellbinders Circle Die and cut a larger opening, as you can see below.)

Gently fold the bag on the score lines. The end of Bag #2 will tuck under the left flap to form a closure.

I wanted to add a bit more to my bag book, so I created a flip page from some black cardstock. Cut black cardstock to 3 3/8" x 5". Score on the short edge at 1". Place double-stick tape on the small flap. Tuck the cardstock flap into the opening of Bag #1 to form a flip page.

Cover all surfaces with Raining Cats and Dogs papers. I used the 8x8 paper pad for my project. The open mini measures approximately 3 1/2" x 12 1/2".

I decorated the "flap" of the cover with Spellbinders corner dies, flowers, and Raining Cats and Dots chipboard and a sticker. I topped the chipboard tag with a twine bow.

I decorated the cover with more flowers and chipboard, plus a few items from the Raining Cats and Dogs Banners. I spelled out "My Cats" with the Spellbinders Numbers and Letters One die cuts.

With the cover open, Bag #1 becomes the fist page, and it is also a pocket page. You can see that I used the Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles Small Dies to cut out the opening on the bag to make it easier to slip in some tags. I used the Sapphire Fancy Corner Set to create corners for the journaling tag.

I tucked a few Graphic 45 Black Artist Trading Tags into my bag pocket. I covered the tags with paper. I had a little fun by trimming out the word "cats" to cover the word "dogs" so that my second tag reads "raining cats and cats"! {giggle} You can tuck some photos into the bag pocket as well.

The next page is the cardstock flap that I made. The chipboard accent holds some tags, or it could hold a photo. Place adhesive on the left side of the chipboard, then slide your tags and photos under the right edge of the tag.

I used foam squares to pop the cat chipboard tag off and act as a holder.

I created another tag holder by popping the mini tag with foam squares. I tied another twine bow to decorate the tag. I used another of the fancy corner die cut shapes under the mini tag.

The last page is actually Bag #2. The bag bottom creates a flap, which I used as a journaling spot and photo holder. I "crowned" the chipboard piece with one of the Spellbinders fancy corners.

This paper is just beautiful! I love the red and teal flowers, and the black accents. There is a lot of paper in this collection that can be used for projects not about pets! I love how versatile Graphic 45 papers are!

The back of the album is covered with more of the Raining Cats and Dogs paper.

Make sure to trim a small strip of paper to cover the spine, as shown above.

Wow Annette and Gloria you've sold me on Graphic 45. Both of your projects are totally amazing! I loved the small vintage designs and colour combinations. Made me think of my grandma's house and old post cards she had. Thanks for making my day!

I really liked both of the tutorials, but I have to say I was greatly inspired by the paperbag album. I love taking everyday items and turning them into something new... and that was a great idea. Thank you for sharing.

These projects are both so awesome! Annette, you make it look so quick and easy. What a treasure. Gloria, as a cat person, what can I say but fabulous! I have that paper and you have given me a wonderful idea.